Neuroprotective effects of Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) extract against "Odontol''-induced cognitive and depressive disorders: An integrated HPLC, molecular docking and experimental validation.
- 1Department of Animal Biology and Physiology, Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Faculty of Science, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box 812, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
- 2Department of Biotechnology and Pharmacognosy, Laboratory of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Sciences, University of Ebolowa, Cameroon.
- 3Department of Biological Sciences, Higher Teacher Training College, University of Yaoundé 1, P.O. Box 47, Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Abstract
Background
The bark of Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) is used in traditional Cameroonian medicine to treat jaundice, gastric ulcers, wounds, pain, and malaria. Chronic consumption of "Odontol," a traditional Cameroonian artisanal alcohol, is associated with hepatotoxicity and progressive neurological impairment. This study evaluated the neuroprotective, anti-amnesic, and antidepressive potentials of the aqueous bark extract of E. cylindricum in a rat model of "Odontol"-induced neurotoxicity.Methods
Following collection and extraction of the plant, HPLC analysis was performed to determine the compounds present in the plant extract. The aqueous extract was administered concomitantly with "Odontol" at 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg/day for 41 days in male Wistar rats, with silymarin (100 mg/kg) as reference drug. Behavioral assessments included open field test, forced swim test, novel object recognition test, and Morris water maze test. On day 42, blood, liver, and hippocampal tissues were collected for biochemical, oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory, and histological analyses. CBdock2 and Biovia discovery studio 2024 were used to perform molecular docking between Entandrophragma cylindricum identified compounds and target proteins GABAr A, NMDA receptor AchE and CaMK.Results
"Odontol" induced significant anxiety-like behavior, increased immobility, and cognitive deficits. Hippocampal analysis revealed elevated Ca²⁺, serotonin, TNF-α, IL-1β, malondialdehyde, and nitrite, and reduced GABA, acetylcholine, BDNF, glutathione, catalase, and magnesium. Histology showed neuronal necrosis and reduced cell density in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus regions. Extract at 300 and 400 mg/kg significantly attenuated all behavioral, biochemical, and histological alterations compared to silymarin. Although molecular docking remains predictive, compounds such as rutin and quercetin bound to target proteins with significant binding energies, thereby potentially modulating the activity of these proteins to protect against Odontol-induced neurotoxicity.Conclusion
E. cylindricum aqueous bark extract exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amnesic, and antidepressive effects, likely through its biochemical constituents.
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BibTeX
@article{nadege2026neuroprotective,
title = {{Neuroprotective effects of Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) extract against "Odontol''-induced cognitive and depressive disorders: An integrated HPLC, molecular docking and experimental validation.}},
author = {Atangana Onana Adélaïde Nadège and Ayissi Mbomo Rigobert Espoir and Bidingha A Goufani Ronald and Mabou Talom Symphorien and Djami Bejoutance Marcelle and Ngueuko Talla Jude Ulrich and Dzeufiet Paul Désiré},
journal = {IBRO neuroscience reports},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.ibneur.2026.09.019},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927214},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Neuroprotective effects of Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) extract against "Odontol''-induced cognitive and depressive disorders: An integrated HPLC, molecular docking and experimental validation.
AU - Atangana Onana Adélaïde Nadège
AU - Ayissi Mbomo Rigobert Espoir
AU - Bidingha A Goufani Ronald
AU - Mabou Talom Symphorien
AU - Djami Bejoutance Marcelle
AU - Ngueuko Talla Jude Ulrich
AU - Dzeufiet Paul Désiré
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
JO - IBRO neuroscience reports
DO - 10.1016/j.ibneur.2026.09.019
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42927214
AB - Background The bark of Entandrophragma cylindricum (Meliaceae) is used in traditional Cameroonian medicine to treat jaundice, gastric ulcers, wounds, pain, and malaria. Chronic consumption of "Odontol," a traditional Cameroonian artisanal alcohol, is associated with hepatotoxicity and progressive neurological impairment. This study evaluated the neuroprotective, anti-amnesic, and antidepressive potentials of the aqueous bark extract of E. cylindricum in a rat model of "Odontol"-induced neurotoxicity.Methods Following collection and extraction of the plant, HPLC analysis was performed to determine the compounds present in the plant extract. The aqueous extract was administered concomitantly with "Odontol" at 200, 300, and 400 mg/kg/day for 41 days in male Wistar rats, with silymarin (100 mg/kg) as reference drug. Behavioral assessments included open field test, forced swim test, novel object recognition test, and Morris water maze test. On day 42, blood, liver, and hippocampal tissues were collected for biochemical, oxidative stress, neuroinflammatory, and histological analyses. CBdock2 and Biovia discovery studio 2024 were used to perform molecular docking between Entandrophragma cylindricum identified compounds and target proteins GABAr A, NMDA receptor AchE and CaMK.Results "Odontol" induced significant anxiety-like behavior, increased immobility, and cognitive deficits. Hippocampal analysis revealed elevated Ca²⁺, serotonin, TNF-α, IL-1β, malondialdehyde, and nitrite, and reduced GABA, acetylcholine, BDNF, glutathione, catalase, and magnesium. Histology showed neuronal necrosis and reduced cell density in CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus regions. Extract at 300 and 400 mg/kg significantly attenuated all behavioral, biochemical, and histological alterations compared to silymarin. Although molecular docking remains predictive, compounds such as rutin and quercetin bound to target proteins with significant binding energies, thereby potentially modulating the activity of these proteins to protect against Odontol-induced neurotoxicity.Conclusion E. cylindricum aqueous bark extract exerts antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-amnesic, and antidepressive effects, likely through its biochemical constituents.
SN - 2667-2421
ER -